If you want to get into the holiday spirit without having to cut down a poor defenseless evergreen, check out this clever idea from the resourceful folks at the Gleeson Library in San Francisco. They stacked a bunch of their own books (bound in a rather apropos shade of green) to form a perfectly proportioned recycled Christmas tree to add cheer to the space.

"construction for the 'maranello library' by milan-based practice arata isozaki + andrea maffei associati is now complete
and has just opened its doors to the public. divided into three volumes, the 1,175 square meter community center contains
program for the book stacks, music and video library, multipurpose room and study spaces along with administrative offices and storage facilities. partially underground, the low-profile structure maintains the flat roof is below the three-sided site enclosure sealing its contemporary appearance from the historical character of the established urban context."

"...the spiral staircase could immediately become
a bookshelf or act as a storage area for small apartments. through research, errazuriz proved that there is enough clearance
over our heads to install a shelf system of this kind, while a ladder makes it easy to reach higher areas."

"The Nautilus shelving system, showcased at Northern Michigan University’s first ever exhibit at the Salone Satellite, was designed to be a cherished family heirloom that, like markings of a child’s height on the wall, represents the advancement of personal knowledge as well as the coming of age. Inspired by the need for growth through learning, the ascending shelves symbolize the lifelong pursuit of discovery. Placed in line, the shelves act as a playful room divider, but when closed Nautilus becomes an adapted reading sanctuary."